This collection investigates the methodological foundations and the validity of the scientific study of politics as a discipline. The authors, including prominent political philosopher Leo Strauss and his associates, examine the tension between traditional political philosophy and the modern behavioral approach to political science. They argue that the pursuit of a value-free political science often obscures the fundamental questions of justice and the common good that define the field.

Experts frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the Strauss-led critique of modern political science methodology. Readers often note the academic density of the prose and the rigorous philosophical argumentation employed throughout the essays.